(1) The purpose of this Act is to ensure equal treatment arising from the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and to promote gender equality of men and women as a fundamental human right and for the public good in all areas of social life.

(2) For the given purpose, this Act provides for:

1) the prohibition on discrimination based on sex in the private and public sectors;

2) the obligation of state and local government agencies, educational and research institutions and employers to promote gender equality of men and women;

3) the right to claim compensation for damage.

§ 2. Scope of application of Act

(1) This Act applies to all areas of social life.

(2) The requirements of this Act do not apply to:

1) professing and practising faith or working as a minister of a religion in a registered religious association;

1Council Directive 75/117/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the application of the principle of equal pay for men and women (OJ L 45, 19.02.1975, p. 19–20); Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions (OJ L 39, 14.02.1976, p. 40–42); Council Directive 79/7/EEC on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security (OJ L 6, 10.01.1979, p. 24–25); Council Directive 86/378/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes (OJ L 225, 12.08.1986, p. 40–42); Council Directive 86/613/EEC on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity, including agriculture, in a self-employed capacity, and on the protection of self-employed women during pregnancy and motherhood (OJ L 359, 19.12.1986, p. 56–58); Council Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC (OJ L 348, 28.11.1992, p. 1–8); Council Directive 96/97/EC amending Directive 86/378/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes (OJ L 46, 17.02.1997, p. 20–24); Council Directive 97/80/EC on the burden of proof in cases of discrimination based on sex (OJ L 14, 20.01.1998, p. 6–8); Directive 2002/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions (OJ L 269, 5.10.2002 p. 15–20). 2RT = Riigi Teataja = State Gazette